Category: Musings

Random musings that do not fit into any other category.

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Musings Planning UK

Thank you to Capel Dewi Community

Tonight Tom Cowcher did a slide presentation and talk about thetrip to Africa he made 30 years ago with his wife Eva and 3 friends. The evening was well attended by the Capel Dewi community and half the proceeds will be donated to Street Child.

The talk was very interesting and many of the issues they had are exactly the same sorts of thing I am expecting – nothing much has changed in the last 30 years.

I wish to thank Tom and Eva for inviting me along and giving me a chance to talk about my trip and about Street Child.

 

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Musings Planning UK

True Size of Africa

With thanks to Kal Kruase

How big is Africa? – The standard world map does not give it’s true size due to the way the Earth is flattened to put on paper. A guy called Kal Krause has produced this image which gives a better idea of the scale.

With thanks to Kal Kruase
With thanks to Kal Kruase
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Musings Planning

Street Child

I have set myself two challenges for this trip. One is to raise money for Street Child who work in Africa to help kids who are for whatever reason left to fend for themselves. One of the outcomes from of the Ebola outbreak is that thousands of kids are left as orphans and in desperate need of help and support.

You can donate via the Virgin Money giving site.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=John-Barrett

My second challenge will be to meet as many fellow Scouts as possible on the way. If you are a scout in Africa please use this web site’s contact page to get in touch.

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Musings

Enough dreaming – Time for action

For at least 10 years I have been restless and wanted to do something with my life beyond the ordinary. Some would call it a mid life crisis, I would say it is a realisation that the clock is ticking and things you wanted to do in life remain undone andare not currently likely to happen.

I have started to do many of these things but one keeps coming back to haunt me – to see the world in it’s natural state and the people in it outside of the normal tourist environment; and to do this on a motorbike as an affordable means of travel. I have read many blogs of people who have done this so know it is possible.

Last night, after reading another blog I made a decision. Enough dreaming – it may not happen but, unless I start doing something, it never will.I know I have many obstacles to overcome before I even leave but I am determined.

I know there are lots of blogs out there but they tend to focus on the trip. I wanted to include the logistics at an early stage in the hope that others may be inspired to stop dreaming and start doing.

And now for the planning……